pefc annual review 2013...pefc’s forest certification week – sustainability declared the new...
TRANSCRIPT
PEFC/01-00-01
Building on momentum:a review of PEFC activities
PEFC annual rEviEw 2013
Evg
enia
Bol
yukh
aBout PEFC
Mission statEMEntOur Vision:
A world in which people manage
forests sustainably.
Our Mission:
To give society confidence that people
manage forests sustainably.
Our Purpose:
Through the endorsement of national
certification systems, PEFC motivates
and enables people to sustainably
manage their forests and works to
provide a market for the products
of those forests.
PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement
of Forest Certification, is the world’s leading
forest certification system. More than 250
million hectares of forests are certified to
PEFC’s internationally recognized Sustainability
Benchmarks, supplying almost 16,000 Chain
of Custody certified companies with responsibly
sourced timber and wood-based products such
as packaging. PEFC was founded by small and
family forest owners to demonstrate excellence
in sustainable forest management.
For more information, please visit
www.pefc.org
lEttEr FroM thE sECrEtary GEnEral 2
aCCElEratinG ForEst CErtiFiCation 2Improved support for developing national forest certification systems 4
Advancing the development of national forest certification systems 6
Delivering value to small forest owners 8
strEnGthEninG MarkEt dEvEloPMEnt 9PEFC certification enabled business continuity as the EUTR took effect 11
Advancing sustainable trade in Asia 14
inCrEasinG awarEnEss 16 Promoting PEFC certification to advance sustainable forest management 16
PEFC Label Generator to equip each participant in the supply chain 20
PEFC advises and facilitates the woody biomass supply chain 21
2013 – sPECial FoCus on asia 22A snapshot of our presence in Asia 22
PEFC’s Forest Certification Week – sustainability declared the new normal 23
PEFC’s Forest Certification week – key issues 24
Towards securing workers’ rights within Myanmar’s forest industry – a case study 25
PEFC MEMBErshiP 26Members’ achievements 26
Financial information 28
PEFC Collaboration Fund 29
Statistics, facts & figures 30
Board of Directors 34
Staff members 371
taBlE oF ContEnts
ChairMEn & sECrEtary GEnEral
ChAIRMAn
William Street
VICE ChAIRMEn
Sheam Satkuru-Granzella
natalie hufnagl-Jovy
SECRETARy GEnERAL / CEO
Ben Gunneberg
Board MEMBErs
Pedro Albizu
Olivier Bertrand
Genevieve Chua
hans Drielsma
Sébastien Genest
Juan Carlos Jintiach
Peter Latham
Joseph Lawson
Michael Proschek-hauptmann
Julian Walker-Palin
Kel
ly M
arke
n
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lEttEr FroM thE sECrEtary GEnEral
Momentum has been gathering strength in the world of sustainable forest management,
propelled by issues such as climate change, but so it has at PEFC, as we started a new
five-year management cycle based on the 2013-17 strategy.
We have leveraged this pervasive momentum to achieve ever-more impactful results. At the end of 2013, nearly 260 million hectares of forests were PEFC-certified and over 15,800 companies benefitted from PEFC Chain of Custody certification. This upward trend is set to accelerate as more of the seeds we have planted over the last 13 years come to fruition. Building on our momentum not only serves the world’s forests but equally the livelihoods of the millions in the communities that depend on them. Our bottom-up approach has always made PEFC the preferred option for small, family forest owners, and our collaborative ethos is fast making us the Partner of Choice for everyone engaged in sustainable forest management.
One of our strategic objectives is to develop and disseminate a suite of activities and products to add value to our stakeholders and the wider movement. In the light of Asia’s rapidly growing economy, the greatest improvements for the global state of forests are currently to be achieved via Asia. hence, we carried out an unprecedented amount of awareness raising, capacity building and training in this globally important region. We held our first ever PEFC Forest Certification Week in Malaysia, home to our first endorsed Asian member, convening the PEFC membership and the wider stakeholder community to discuss challenges, opportunities, and the evolving relevancy of our work. We launched our Toolkit 1, a guide to developing national forest certification systems, and ran a System Development Workshop for those starting their development. The China Forest Certification Council fine-tuned its national system to achieve PEFC endorsement, the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperative submitted its system for assessment, and we are continuing working, for example, in Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, nepal and Thailand in the same direction.
“Building on momentum” complements our strategic goal to position PEFC as the System of Choice for all engaged in responsible forestry. We built on the industry’s acceptance of PEFC and achieved the inclusion of PEFC certification into the recommendations of two highly influential industry documents: the Consumer Goods Forum’s Guidelines 2 and the WBCSD’s Leadership Statement 3. Both affect hundreds of key, individual business procurement policies and help to multiply our efforts. Furthermore, we demonstrated the relevancy of PEFC certification to other sectors, such as the renewable energy sector, which is currently writing PEFC certification into its policies before starting to source woody biomass on an unparalleled scale. Similarly, as we revised our PEFC Chain of Custody standard, ensuring alignment with the EUTR 4, we increased our standard’s reach from certification requirements to also encompass compulsory legality requirements, thus taking PEFC certification to a wider audience.
Last but not least, I want to mention our strategic goal of rigorously pursuing organizational effectiveness to ensure greatest value for money and optimized delivery mechanisms. To serve certified forest owners, businesses and consumers, we launched tools, such as the online PEFC Label Generator, and we are developing a suite of bespoke training modules, in order to motivate all these decision-makers to collectively contribute towards a seismic shift towards sustainability in forest management.
Welcome to our Annual Review 2013.
Ben Gunneberg
Zor
an V
ukm
anov
Sim
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1 The full title is Your Toolkit: Developing a National Forest Certification System2 The full title is Consumer Goods Forum’s Pulp, Paper & Packaging Guidelines3 The entity in question is the Forest Solutions Group of the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development and the full title of the “Leadership Statement” is Leadership Statement on the Value and Future of Forest Certification
4 European Union Timber Regulation
lEttEr FroM thE sECrEtary GEnEral
... our collaborative ethos is fast making us the Partner of Choice for everyone engaged in sustainable forest management.”
“
We provide tailored support services to stakeholders developing their national forest certification systems in line with our globally recognized Benchmark Requirements. We do this by providing technical advice, identifying mentors, investing catalytic co-funding, and fostering regional collaboration.
There are many steps to be accomplished throughout
the process, from the need to have balanced
representation during the standard setting process
through to defining certification and accreditation
procedures. In 2013, with demand continuing to
grow for our standard setting expertise, we published
Your Toolkit: Developing a National Forest Certification
System, accompanied by a System Development
Workshop, to help organizations work through
these steps.
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aCCElEratinG ForEst CErtiFiCation
improved support for developing national forest certification systems
What is a forest certification system?A forest certification system outlines the
rules, procedures and management criteria for
carrying out forest certification. It establishes
specific requirements for a product, process,
system or body, and uses a third-party to ensure
that the fulfillment of specified requirements
has been demonstrated. A credible forest
certification system relies upon three separate
functions: standard setting, accreditation and
certification.
PEFC requires forest certification systems to be
developed at a national level and in compliance
with its international requirements. This bottom-
up approach enables forest management
standards to be adapted to local conditions,
consistent with national laws and regulations,
and to meet the expectations of stakeholders
on the ground.
What is PEFC endorsement?After a forest certification system has been
developed, it is possible to apply for PEFC
endorsement. To qualify for PEFC endorsement,
a system must meet or exceed PEFC’s
Sustainability Benchmarks – a set of globally
recognized principles, requirements and criteria
defining core elements of national forest
certification systems. By endorsing a national
forest certification system, PEFC provides
assurance that the system will result in the
sustainable management of the country’s
forests, respecting the highest ecological,
social and ethical standards. national forest
certification systems also have to be developed
observing PEFC’s standard setting procedures
and processes. All systems are endorsed for a
period of five years, after which they must be
revised, not only to include new experiences,
best practices and scientific research, but also
to encourage permanent ongoing dialogue
among all relevant stakeholders.
how it works
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Your Toolkit: Developing a National Forest Certification System
Drawing on our 15-year experience in leading
standard setting processes and running forest
certification systems across 38 countries, Your
Toolkit: Developing a National Forest Certification
System brings together the collective knowledge
of stakeholders and PEFC staff at national and
international level. It provides a step-by-step guide
and gives hands-on advice for those embarking
on the development process, summarizes complex
requirements with innovative graphics, and captures
recommendations from PEFC and those who have
already gone through the same process.
Providing hands-on training
Our PEFC System Development Workshop,
held during the PEFC Forest Certification Week
in Malaysia, welcomed 50 people from more than
15 countries to benefit from advice and to participate
in a lively discussion covering all the main aspects
of developing a national system.
This year saw representatives attending from
countries all around the world, including Cameroon,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, new Zealand,
Thailand, the Philippines, the Republic of Congo,
Turkey and Vietnam, along with our member
representatives from Belarus, Malaysia and Spain.
With every country at a different stage of system
development, as well as experiencing different
national conditions and reasons for engaging in
the development, the workshop enabled them to
not only share these differing experiences and
challenges, but also to learn from each other.
In addition to the formal training, together with our
national members, we provided direct support to
countries already in, or about to start, the process of
developing their own national certification systems.
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253 of forests globally are PEFC-certified
million hectares
A step-by-step guide to establishing your national forest certification system aligned with PEFC’s globally recognized sustainability benchmark requirements
DEVELOPING A NATIONAL FOREST CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
YOUR TOOLKIT
PEFC/01-00-01
aCCElEratinG ForEst CErtiFiCation/improved support
India
CameroonRepublicof Congo
Mexico
Nepal
Hungary
Montenegro
Indonesia
MyanmarVietnam
Philippines
NewZealand
JapanRepublicof KoreaTurkey
Thailand
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advancing the development of national forest certification systems
With Central Africa home to some of the largest
tropical forests in the world, strengthening forest
certification in this region continues to be a priority
for PEFC. 2013 was an eventful year with a number
of highlights.
We spoke to the influential audience of private
sector and government representatives and civil
society organizations at the “International Forum on
the Sustainable Development of the Wood Industry
in the Congo Basin,” organized by our Stakeholder
Member, ATIBT 1. The event produced the “Brazzaville
Declaration 2013”, set to become the golden
standard for green jobs and legal wood products
in the six countries making up the Congo Basin:
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,
and Republic of Congo. The Declaration embodies the
opportunity to safeguard the tropical forest, benefit
local people in achieving an independent, secure
income, and sustainably develop the whole region.
In July, we welcomed
a ministerial delegation
from the Republic of Congo
to support their commitment
to establishing a national forest
certification system in collaboration
with PEFC and ATIBT.
Our existing members in Africa continued
to flourish. Following their engagement
in a multi-stakeholder dialogue, PAFC
Gabon submitted its system to PEFC for re-
endorsement, with special thanks to ECOFORAF 2,
for financial support. We also continued supporting
PAFC Cameroon with developing its national system,
helping to prepare for its first stakeholder dialogue
in 2014.
1 L’Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux2 Support for ecocertification of forest concessions
in Central Africa
Meeting with PEFC International, ATIBT and the ministerial delegation from the Republic of Congo.
From left to right:
Marine Leblanc, Rémi Sournia, Alain Ngoya Kessy, Ralph Ridder, Minister Henri Djombo, Ben Gunneberg, André Poh, Sarah Price and Grégoire Nkeoua.
Building momentum at all levels in Central Africa
PE
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India
CameroonRepublicof Congo
Mexico
Nepal
Hungary
Montenegro
Indonesia
MyanmarVietnam
Philippines
NewZealand
JapanRepublicof KoreaTurkey
Thailand
PEFC members
Countries developing a system for eventual PEFC endorsement (including some PEFC members)
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Cameroon
“ We need a recognized certification system that incorporates our specificities and realities, promotes the value of our forest products, and ensures an equal share of benefits along the value chain. Our stakeholders are motivated by the bottom-up approach, keen to participate in the creation of their own certification system, and wanting to ensure they understand their system once it is ready.
We have appreciated PEFC’s experience in systems development, having received technical assistance at the PEFC council meetings and in the form of technical documents. We have regular exchanges with PEFC regarding our activities.”
Christine Nkene, PAFC Cameroon
16 countries are currently developing national systems
Hungary
“ Private forest owners in hungary view PEFC certification as their only affordable option, and everyone, including those already involved with other systems, value PEFC for respecting our natural, economic and social environment. Legislative developments like the European Union Timber Regulation have also drawn the stakeholders’ attention towards certification.”
Endre Schiberna, Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit Ltd.
“ At the start, we participated at PEFC’s System Development Workshop, which gave us an overview of the whole process. Then, through regular communication, we got quick and detailed answers to our questions. More recently, through the PEFC Collaboration Fund, we have secured funding to launch our system development.”
Kitti Horvath, Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit Ltd.
Nepal
“ Community forestry is successful here with over 18,000 community forestry user groups managing about 1.7 million ha of forest. We have proven ourselves in forest protection but there is a need to enhance our rural livelihood opportunities through sustainable forest management. Developing a PEFC-endorsed national forest certification scheme will help us to build recognition throughout the country on the potential for managing forests sustainably.
PEFC has supported us with increasing stakeholder awareness on the importance of forest certification and has helped us to initiate our nepalese forest certification scheme development.”
Ghan Shyam Pandey, Green Foundation Nepal
What motivates stakeholders in your country to develop a national certification system aligned with PEFC requirements and how has PEFC supported your process so far?
aCCElEratinG ForEst CErtiFiCation/advancing the development
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delivering value to small forest ownersGlobally, about 25% of forest area is managed by millions of families and communities. Our approach at PEFC is tailored to the specific needs of these forests and people, delivering lasting contributions to livelihoods and rural development.
Group Certification, an approach popularized by PEFC, is a mechanism through which groups of small forest landholders can pool their resources and work together to achieve third-party verified sustainable forest management. In addition, it makes certification affordable for smallholders when individual certification may be too expensive. The roots of our organization are with these smallholders and family foresters, starting in Europe, before expanding further afield.
here are a few examples of our achievements in 2013.
Expanding Group Certification Globally
Promoting certification in areas where it is less widespread, but where the sustainable management of forests has taken on increasing importance in light of efforts to combat climate change and alleviate poverty, is the objective of our Expanding Group Certification Globally project.
With each project we face new challenges and opportunities. Every project highlights key areas that need our investigation: from trees outside the forest in Thailand to agroforestry in Malaysia, and from the need for capacity building in Vietnam to how to certify or reward progress when no national system exists, such as in nepal.
In 2013, we collaborated with international and local partners to understand the current challenges faced by small landholders in implementing sustainable forest management in a number of countries.
In peninsular Malaysia, we continued working with rubber farmers to explore the feasibility of pursuing group forest management certification for rubber plantations. With rubber wood being an extremely important source of material for wood-based industries, the market is increasingly looking to source certified products. Together with relevant agencies and landowners, we are scoping the technical feasibility, while working to stimulate interest in sustainable land management and access to market benefits for pursuing certification. In 2013, the manual and related procedures for achieving group certification were completed. A workshop held in november 2013 in Peninsular Malaysia brought together farmers, project partners and international experts to review progress and make recommendations for achieving PEFC certification soon.
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2013 also saw the start of a pilot project with a number of partners in Thailand, designing a cost-effective, third-party verification system suited to the unique situation of sourcing fiber from smallholders in the country. As trees outside of the forest are a major fiber source for the Thai-based industries, the current model of forest management certification is not well suited. To develop and innovate an appropriate solution, stakeholders have been working together to draft a standard for responsible land management in this context. During the year, companies undertook piloting activities to check the relevancy of the draft standard, and the group continued improving the document by seeking input from a broader range of stakeholders.
We began partnering on a project in Vietnam focused on strengthening forest owner cooperatives and their abilities to deliver services related to forest management. PEFC’s contribution is focused on raising awareness about forest certification and supporting pilot activities to implement PEFC certification within a cooperative’s forest area. Building more cost-effective solutions to forest certification in Vietnam can play a powerful role in supporting families to secure better incomes and break the circle of rural poverty.
In Nepal, we are working to stimulate an inclusive dialogue at all levels of society about the important role of sustainable forest management. Legitimizing and governing the sustainable use of the forest resource could produce substantial positive impacts for the livelihoods of millions of people. Through running workshops at district, regional and national levels, the project seeks to launch a national governing body, which could lead the development of a national forest management certification system in nepal. This process is supported by a scoping study completed in 2013, which analyzed the potential for creating a viable certification system for community forest user groups in nepal and concluded that there is great potential for establishing PEFC group certification in the country.
aCCElEratinG ForEst CErtiFiCation/delivering value to small forest owners
750,000 forest owners globally are PEFC-certified
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Empowering small forest owners in Latvia
Providing private forest owners with a positive example of group certification is the objective of a PEFC Collaboration Fund project started in 2013 in Latvia. Project partners PEFC Latvia and the Forest Owners’ Cooperative “Mežsaimnieks” began the development of a group certification pilot project, along with an awareness-raising campaign, which will eventually enable small and family forest owners to apply for and achieve certification.
Pilot project partners: Forest Owners’ Cooperative “Mežsaimnieks”, PEFC Collaboration Fund and PEFC Latvia.
What is PEFC’s Group Forest Certification?Our Group Certification allows multiple forest owners to pool their limited resources and become certified as a group, while still providing the same level of rigor as individual certification. PEFC pioneered this approach in response to the unique forest tenure system in developed and developing countries alike.
Group Certification can help smallholders to:
• Spreadcostsandshareadministrationandorganizational procedures and responsibilities;
• Developabetterunderstandingofmutualinterests and share good practices;
• Accessglobalmarketsthatdemandsustainability assurances, especially those requiring both wood and non-wood forest products from certified sources.
In addition and to a significant extent, it can also be instrumental in:
• Alleviatingpovertyand
• Combatingclimatechange.
how it works
Enabling certification for small family forest owners
With costs being a major barrier to certification for smallholders, in 2013 we expanded our online tool to provide small and medium forest owners with a cost effective and competitive means to apply for certification. After first being developed and deployed by Ingenieursbureau Evan Buytendijk (IEB) in the netherlands, the development of an English language version has now begun in the UK and Ireland. The system will ease the administrative burden for smallholders, streamline the preparation of forest management plans and provide an effective mechanism to monitor compliance with certification requirements.
In time, the tool will be shared across all English-speaking PEFC member countries, with further opportunities existing to translate it into other languages.
Project partners: lngenieursbureau Evan Buytendijk, PEFC Ireland, PEFC UK, PEFC Collaboration Fund, Staresale and Dutch Federation for Private Landownership.
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strEnGthEninG MarkEt dEvEloPMEnt
Certified companies have always benefitted from PEFC certification providing them with the ability to meet the expectations of an increasingly discerning market requiring responsibly sourced products. With legality regulations, such as the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), on the rise, there is an additional reason for ever more companies to obtain PEFC Chain of Custody certification: it is one of the most straightforward and efficient means to address legality requirements, with the additional advantage of being able to manufacture and sell PEFC-certified and labeled products.
We have experienced increased interest in certification as a result of legality regulation, for example from companies in Eastern Europe. As the number of certified companies increases, so too does the demand for certified material, helping the virtuous cycle of expanding certification and the associated benefits to forests and society as a whole.
With the EUTR taking effect in March 2013, we ensured that certified companies would fulfill the necessary requirements through the implementation of our revised 2013 PEFC Chain of Custody standard, adding value to them and their customers. The standard was published in May after 18 months of intensive multi-stakeholder discussions.
Ensuring a smooth transition
For companies dealing only in PEFC-certified material, the transition to the new standard was simple to implement. We designed the PEFC Chain of Custody standard to allow them to meet the requirements in a straightforward manner. Companies dealing with uncertified material were able to benefit from the new PEFC Controlled Sources Claim, a robust yet effective mechanism to demonstrate compliance of uncertified material within the EUTR.
PEFC certification enabled business continuity as the Eutr took effect
STRENGTHENING MARKET DEVELOPMENT/PEFC certification enabled business continuity
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What is the European Union Timber Regulation?The EUTR prohibits illegally harvested timber from being placed on the European Union (EU) market in an effort to tackle the global problem of illegal logging. It covers a broad range of timber products including solid wood products, flooring, plywood, pulp and paper, and applies to both imported and domestically produced timber and timber products. In practical terms, it requires traders to exercise due diligence.
What is PEFC’s Chain of Custody certification?PEFC’s Chain of Custody certification enables the tracking of certified material throughout the supply chain, from the forest to the consumer, and allows producers and vendors to give assurances about the origins of the wood used in their goods, including compliance with the EUTR. In addition to satisfying regulatory needs, it provides evidence that forest-based products are sustainably sourced.
What is the PEFC Due Diligence System?
The PEFC Due Diligence System (DDS) is an integral part of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard and is the mechanism that avoids the inclusion of timber from controversial sources in products with a PEFC claim. It has three steps:
1. Information: Transparency on supplies is a key element of due diligence. PEFC requires that the certificate holder shall have an agreement with their suppliers to get the information on the tree species and origin of a supply when needed.
2. Risk assessment: Based on the tree species and origin, amongst other information, the certificate holder has to assess the risk that a supply could originate from a controversial source. The risk assessment has two possible outcomes: either the supply has a “negligible risk” or it has a “significant risk”. Supplies received with a valid PEFC claim are considered as negligible risk as they have already gone through an assessment process and are exempted from this element of the PEFC DDS.
3. Mitigation: For the supplies that have been identified as significant risk, the supplier needs to provide further evidence in order to determine a negligible risk. It may also be necessary to carry out on-site inspections at the supplier’s operations.
As an overarching element, the certificate holder is required to act upon third-party substantiated concerns related to controversial sources. This is an additional form of risk assessment also applicable to material with a PEFC claim.
Only supplies for which the certificate holder could determine a status of negligible risk can be used as input in the PEFC Chain of Custody. Any other supply cannot be used as input for products with PEFC claim.
how it works
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Keeping stakeholders informed
As the EUTR came into force, we provided guidance to many different market participants including certificate holders, certification bodies and other interested parties to accompany their transition.
With so many keen to implement our updated PEFC Chain of Custody standard, we hosted a total of 15 tailored webinars, reaching more than 700 participants, informing them on the background, development and changes of the revision. We also held four training seminars in Asia in order to inform auditors about the revised standard, with a particular focus on the updated PEFC Due Diligence System (DDS). In addition to these activities, we produced and distributed a range of guidance documents to provide stakeholders with additional support.
Helping Eastern European countries to access European Union markets
The arrival of the EUTR has triggered an increased demand for PEFC as a tool to demonstrate alignment with the new regulations from countries outside the EU. In Eastern Europe, for example, we built on the work already started in Albania, Bosnia and herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, conducting outreach activities with local partners to inform the regional businesses about the advantages of PEFC certification to access EU markets. This work with local partners lays the groundwork for the eventual development of national forest certification systems in these countries.
15we provided a total of
to inform about Eutr-related issues
webinars to more than 700participants
15,804
companies in the world benefit from PEFC’s Chain of Custody certification
STRENGTHENING MARKET DEVELOPMENT/PEFC certification enabled business continuity
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advancing sustainable trade in asiaWith its growing populations and rising purchasing power leading to ever increasing levels of consumption, Asia is shaping the world’s landscape of forestry and timber trade.
ChinaThe China Forest Certification CouncilThe China Forest Certification Council submitted its national forest certification system for PEFC endorsement in 2012 and achieved PEFC endorsement in February 2014. With the importance of the country in the forest products value chain and its substantial forest area, the endorsement of the Chinese system has the potential to substantially increase the demand for, as well as the supply of, PEFC-certified material throughout the region. During the system development process, the China Office provided technical advice on meeting PEFC’s requirements and helped to translate system documentation.
JaPanThe Sustainable Green Ecosystem CouncilThe Japanese national certification system, the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council, expressed an interest in pursuing PEFC membership and endorsement for its system at the PEFC General Assembly.
Japan office reporting in
Throughout the year, the Japan Office targeted key sectors – housing, building materials, retailers, publishing and printing, and consumer goods – to increase uptake in PEFC Chain of Custody certification. This has included running bi-monthly informative seminars and participating at industry events.
The Eco-Products Exhibition
We joined the 18,000 stakeholders at Japan’s largest environmental exhibition, which publicizes eco-products and services to realize an environmentally friendly society. The event covers consumer goods, industrial materials, energy, finance, as well as corporate social responsibility activities. At this three-day event, the Japan Office promoted the value of PEFC Chain of Custody certification, exhibiting with our PEFC-certified partners: hearst Fujingaho, MeadWestvaco Corporation, Sezaki Ringyo Company, and Toyo Aluminium Ekco Products.
China office reporting in
We conducted regular awareness raising activities to the paper, packaging, furniture and timber sectors by means of participating at industry conferences and by running seminars, workshops and training events. As China is the world’s largest manufacturer of forest products, it is essential to encourage companies to apply for PEFC Chain of Custody certification.
8th Canada-Fujian Forestry Investment & Trade Seminar, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
As part of a major national trade conference, this seminar presented an excellent opportunity to provide Chinese companies from the forestry and wood trade sector with information about PEFC.
The Asia Promotions Initiative
The Asia Promotions Initiative is a key element of our work in Asia. With its offices in China and Japan, it works to raise awareness, build capacity and encourage the uptake of PEFC certification throughout Asia.
Going forward
We are looking for additional partner organizations to join our Asia Promotions Initiative – organizations that share the common goal of increasing demand for certified products and improving capacity in Asia to process certified products. Please contact us at [email protected] .
It has a strong influence on the environmental sustainability of international forest products, and therefore, increasing the availability of certified timber and building supply chain capacity across this region is vital for everyone. This makes Asia a priority for our work, and in 2013 we dedicated considerable effort to this region through our PEFC Asia Promotions Initiative and our outreach activities.
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Advocating, informing and training
PEFC International conducted further outreach activities in the Asian region in addition to the Asia Promotions Initiative. This included events focusing on advocacy and awareness raising, to training.
Building interest among engineers
PEFC delivered the keynote speech at the World Engineers Summit to engineers from multiple disciplines and climate change specialists on “Corporate Social Responsibility on Climate Change”. The three-day summit attracted over 800 delegates and included a conference and exhibition. The summit ran alongside the BuildEco Xpo Asia (BEX Asia), which showcased sustainable and green solutions to 10,000 building professionals.
Emphasizing the importance of certification to Corporate Social Responsibility managers
Addressing the nearly 500 delegates, the PEFC Secretary General spoke at the plenary session of the International Singapore Compact CSR Summit on “Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change and the Business Role”. he outlined the importance of responsible forestry in tackling climate change and the contribution of forest certification, actions already undertaken by the public and private sectors to promote certification, and opportunities for business to support global efforts.
Delivering auditor training
In 2013, we organized four PEFC Chain of Custody auditor training seminars: two in Beijing, China; one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and one in Tokyo, Japan, reaching a total of some 90 auditors and consultants. The training focused on the revised PEFC Chain of Custody standard and in particular on the PEFC DDS, which must be implemented by all PEFC Chain of Custody certificate holders from February 2014.
Additional events
We organized or participated in numerous additional events, big and small, many for the first time, including:
• 2013TaiwanSustainableEconomyForum;
• 27thASEANFurnitureIndustriesCouncil(AFIC) Working Committee Meeting & Conference 2013, Vietnam;
• 30thJapanKenzaiFair;
• CertificationForum2013:ResponsibleProcurement and Forest Certification, the Philippines;
• ForestCertificationSeminarbythePEFC-accredited Japanese certification body JIA (Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association);
• JapanInternationalCooperationAgency(JICA) Forest Certification Training Program;
• PEFCcertificationseminartailoredtolocal requirements in the Osaka area and western Japan.
strEnGthEninG MarkEt dEvEloPMEnt/advancing sustainable trade in asia
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Business embraces PEFC
Our many years of promoting forest certification achieved remarkable results in 2013 as industry participants accepted to adopt PEFC certification as a verification mechanism into their policies on
an “industrial scale”.
inCrEasinG awarEnEss
Promoting PEFC certification to advance sustainable forest management
One of the largest global industry networks, the Consumer Goods Forum, which influences over 400 businesses across 70 countries with combined sales of € 2.5 trillion, recommended PEFC certification as a verification mechanism within its recently published guidelines to help to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020 with regard to sourcing pulp, paper and packaging. PEFC certified products are recommended as providing companies with verification for legality, sustainable forest management, and a low risk of controversial sources contributing to deforestation. The businesses at the forefront of this initiative include well-known names such as Carrefour, Coca Cola, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg’s, Kimberly-Clark, L’Oréal, nestlé, Proctor & Gamble, Tesco and Walmart.
Similarly, the Forest Solutions Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, referenced PEFC certification in connection with its Leadership Statement on the Value and Future of Forest Certification, which speaks for the 26 companies responsible for nearly 40% of annual global forest, paper and packaging sales.
In order to ensure that the supply of independently verified sustainable forest products continues to increase to meet growing demand, the companies commitment themselves, and call on all other companies worldwide to commitment as well, to:
• Workwithstakeholderstospreadsustainableforest management;
• Supportandpromotetheexpansionofforestcertification;
• Set2020targetstoincreasetheuseofcertificationwhen sourcing forest products and fiber;
• Growmarketsforcertifiedforestproducts.
These achievements are in addition to the numerous public and private procurement policies that recognize PEFC:
• TimberProcurementPoliciesofBelgium,Denmark,Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the netherlands, Switzerland and the UK;
• EuropeanCommissionGuidelinesonGreenPublic Procurement;
• EUEcolabel;
• EuropeanRetailEnvironmentalSustainabilityCode;
• GreenBuildingCouncilsinAustralia,ItalyandSingapore; BREEAM, the Code for Sustainable homes, in the netherlands and the UK; and SKA rating in the UK;
• GreenBuildingAssessmentProtocolforCommercial Buildings and the national Green Building Standard in the US; and Built Green in Canada;
• ComprehensiveAssessmentSystemforBuiltEnvironment Efficiency in Japan;
• SingaporeEnvironmentCouncil.
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The PEFC market outreach road shows
We promoted PEFC certification in a tailored manner throughout Asia and Europe, Latin as well as north America, where we conducted outreach meetings with key companies and organizations such as Disney, Kimberly-Clark, the International Finance Corporation, McDonalds and hAVI Global Solutions, Morgan Stanley, Office Depot, US Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, Walmart and Weyerhaeuser.
here are two examples of our extended visits to raise awareness of the value adding benefits of certification within the international timber trade market:
Brazil
Through a number of meetings, we explored possibilities with Brazilian companies, such as the PEFC-certified Fibria, International Paper and Suzano, together with Bracelpa, the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association, for increasing public awareness of the value and benefits provided by responsible forestry and forest certification. In addition, we started work with Fibria to help thousands of family forest owners to obtain PEFC certification and therefore achieve economic benefits from their sustainably managed forests. The PEFC Secretary General also met local communities and children involved in social projects taking place in the forest-dependent communities.
New Zealand
During his visit to new Zealand, the PEFC Secretary General met with various industry heads to discuss the local needs of meeting sustainability demands for internationally traded forest products. he reached the public too, for example, via an interview with Radio new Zealand’s “Morning Rural news” and coverage in the National Business Review. Responding to the increasing demand, Standards new Zealand has begun consulting on a draft voluntary standard for sustainable forest management.
INCREASING AWARENESS/Promoting PEFC certification to advance sustainable forest management
Evolving the PEFC brand
In line with recommendations in the PEFC strategy 2013-17, we embarked on a re-branding and identity process to ensure a common conceptual identity for the PEFC membership. Given our vast growth over the past 14 years, not only because we have come to comprise of some 38 country members and 18 International Stakeholder members, but also because our work now reaches beyond timber harvesting to wider subjects, such as poverty alleviation, climate change and energy markets.
Our goal is to generate a common conceptual identity for PEFC as a multinational entity that establishes and defines its identity among its members, assisting them in building their capacity to promote it, to stakeholders and customers for effective positioning. This process will continue in 2014.
The two events, the European Forest Week and Metsä2013, both took place during 9-13 December 2013 in Rovaniemi, Finland, inspiring further events throughout Europe to celebrate the week and to raise awareness about the importance of our forests.
European Forest Week – “The role of forests and forest products in a green economy”
As one of the 15 partners launching this event, we helped to promote sustainable forest management and raise awareness of the forest sector’s contribution to a green economy.
Metsä2013
We contributed to a panel discussion on “Measuring and communicating the contribution of the forest sector to a green economy”. The event was a joint session of the United nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (ECE’s) Timber Committee and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations’ (FAO’s) European Forestry Commission.
7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns (ESCT) “A green and socially responsible economy: a solution in times of crisis?”
We exhibited to the over 850 participants, mostly from local governments and organizations involved in urban sustainability at the European level, to discuss how cities can drive a transition towards sustainability in the face of the current economic, environmental and social crises. The event built on the conclusions of the previous ESCT Dunkerque 2010 and the outcomes of the Rio+20 Conference 2012, which focused on a green economy, and sought to bridge gaps between environmental, economic and social goals and connect governments, civil society and business through policy and action.
World Forests Summit
The World Forests Summit, organized by The Economist, brought together industry leaders, government ministers, scientists and activists from around the world to identify common ground and discuss mechanisms for forest stakeholders to work together differently.
PEFC representatives presented about reforestation, forest landscape restoration, and long-term sustainability through forest certification, as well as addressing the question of whether logging bans and timber regulations are a way forward.
The summit openly explored the tensions and compromises that are involved in creating a thriving global green economy, delivering fresh insight into solving critical challenges at both global and national levels.
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Selected advocacy events and processes in 2013here is a selection of the many industry events we participated in.
193 This is a public-private partnership
established by the US Government and The Consumer Goods Forum.
Tropical Forest Alliance 2020: Promoting Sustainability and Productivity in the Palm Oil and Pulp & Paper Sectors Workshop
We joined the 300 representatives from the world’s leading palm oil and pulp & paper production companies, major buyers, governments and nGOs at the workshop, held by the Tropical Forest Alliance 20203 in Jakarta. Discussions focused on finding solutions for reducing tropical deforestation associated with the sourcing of commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef, and paper and pulp. The workshop catalyzed several practical initiatives, including a pledge from the industry’s leading companies to support the Alliance’s mission to reduce tropical deforestation associated with their industry.
Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe
As governments steer society towards environmental and sustainability goals, our expertise is increasingly solicited. For example, our participation was welcomed at the Intergovernmental negotiating Committee as it prepares to deliver a major policy document, the Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe. The Agreement’s purpose is to maintain the vitality and multi-functionality of forests, as well as to address emerging challenges, and it is expected to impact the whole European forest sector.
Press coverage
We featured in a wide range of industry publications, such as: Asian Timber, Design Construct & Build, Furniture & Furnishings, Panels & Furniture, and Wood Flooring Asia.
INCREASING AWARENESS/Promoting PEFC certification to advance sustainable forest management
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PEFC label Generator to equip each participant in the supply chain
4 See treee.es/env-trends5 See treee.es/regen-study
Demand for PEFC certification has increased constantly over the past years, with ever more companies recognizing the value of sourcing responsibly and demonstrating this to their customers by using the PEFC ecolabels. To ease the task for everyone involved, we developed the PEFC Label Generator. This allows any licensed forest owner or company to download PEFC labels online, quickly and easily, and to customize them to the specific requirements of different products and promotional materials. For the purpose of educating, informing and promotion, the PEFC logo and labels can also be used by uncertified entities, such as non-government organizations, media and educational organizations. The PEFC Label Generator is completely cloud-based and does not require additional software. Its roll-out started in 2013 and will continue in 2014.
By using the PEFC logo and labels, forest owners and certified companies can:
• Demonstratetheircommitmenttosustainabledevelopment, in particular the world’s forests, the communities and livelihoods they support and the biodiversity they harbor;
• Communicatetheircorporatesocialresponsibility;
• Attractenvironmentallyandsociallymindedcustomers and consumers;
• Generateawarenessanddemandforproductsfrom PEFC-certified forests.
According to a recent global study, purchasing a product in environmentally friendly packaging is a key environmental action that consumers undertake. More than one third of consumers regularly search for environmental labels on food packaging and 54% of the people surveyed said that they trust environmental labels.4 Consumers not only trust labels, but consider them a more trusted source ahead of media reports, consumer reports, and corporate sustainability reports, according to the Regeneration Consumer Study5.
The PEFC Label Generator allows any certified company to inform customers and consumers that it is addressing their sustainability expectations. Companies have been welcoming the Label Generator, creating hundreds of labels for on-product use.
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In response to the growing importance of woody biomass as a source of renewable energy – over the next two decades Europe is expected to import up to 60 million tons per year – we are working to ensure that its production will be derived from sustainably managed forests and that this increased market demand does not threaten the forests themselves.
With this in mind, we have been participating in an ongoing dialogue between the main woody biomass producers in north America and the consumers in Europe, as well as the advisers, governments and traders involved.
Building on from the 2012 PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue, where a wide range of stakeholders discussed the link between sustainable biomass and forest certification, in 2013 we attended and helped to convene a two-day workshop debating related complex sustainability issues. Specifically, the workshop examined the international trade in wood pellets, explored sustainability criteria being developed by European governments and industry, and introduced US forestry practices.
Some of the key points raised during the workshop highlighted the need to:
• Clarifyunderstandingofhowthevastgrowthin pellet demand may affect forests and other forest products markets in the future;
• NegotiatescientificallyrobustandeffectiveEuropean sustainability criteria and develop procedures for satisfying these criteria within the USA;
• Continuethedialoguearoundbiogenicandcombustion emissions.
The workshop, which took place in Georgia, USA, was convened by the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and the International Energy Agency (IEA)6, with financial support of PEFC’s Collaboration Fund, our north American member, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, as well as the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee, E.On, MeadWestvaco Company Foundation, and Weyerhaeuser.
In parallel, the Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) was formed – a partnership of major European utility firms that use woody biomass to fuel large thermal power plants – in order to ensure compliance with sustainability regulations and biomass legality in EU countries. Through our interactions with SBP, we are assisting in developing its statement of principles, standards and processes, in preparation for defining its supply chain sustainability certification. Wherever possible, SBP’s Biomass Assurance Framework will employ existing credible standards already used by other forest product streams and for other sustainable biomass sources. Our work with SBP will help to meet EU’s 2020 renewable energy targets7 and curb climate change.
Throughout the year, we also continued dialogue with various industry actors, such as at 4th AEBIOM Bioenergy Conference organized by the European Biomass Association. This event gave us the opportunity to not only inform participants about PEFC’s tools and services, but also to discuss the emerging global industry norms for accounting greenhouse gas emissions in the woody biomass industry, transferring the growing knowledge base to developing countries, and in general advising the development of this growing industry.
PEFC advises and facilitates the woody biomass supply chain
6 More specifically, this involved the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task Force 40 and 43.
7 http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/index_en.htm
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With the huge growth of Asia’s forest industry over the past 15 years, tremendous interest has been triggered in providing evidence of sustainable forest management through forest certification, with an emphasis on bottom-up developed national forest certification systems that are independently managed at local level. As a result, interest in PEFC is rapidly increasing:
• WiththeChinese Forest Certification System going on to become PEFC endorsed in February 2014, the area of PEFC-certified forests in Asia has increased by 50%.
• A range of other countries in the region, including India, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand, are advancing in national system development and exploring options for eventual international recognition by PEFC.
• InNovember2013,Indonesia took the next step towards international recognition of its national forest certification system by submitting it for PEFC endorsement, with the results due in 2014.
• The Malaysian Timber Certification System (MTCS) achieved PEFC endorsement already in 2009, and as such, it became the first Asian system and the second tropical system to be endorsed by PEFC. MTCS’s endorsement led the way for certification in the region, demonstrating that it is possible to develop national certification systems suited to the specific requirements of Asian countries, yet still in line with exacting international benchmarks.
2013 – sPECial FoCus on asia
a snapshot of our presence in asia
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Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
• PEFCMembersince2002
• PEFC-endorsedsince2009
• Morethan4.6millionhectaresof forests PEFC-certified under MTCS
China Forest Certification Council (CFCC)
• PEFCMembersince2011
• PEFC-endorsedsinceFebruary 2014
• Almost2millionhectaresof forests CFCC-certified
Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperative (IFCC)
• PEFCMembersince2012
• IFCCcurrentlyunderPEFCassessment; results due late 2014
PEFC members in Asia:
MTC
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Highlights from PEFC’s Forest Certification week
• MalaysianMinisterofPlantationIndustriesandCommodities opened PEFC’s 18th General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur.
• IndonesianForestryCertificationCooperativesubmitted its national certification system for PEFC endorsement.
• EuropeanTimberTradeFederationandtheInternational Council of Forest and Paper Associations joined as International Stakeholder members.
• JapanandTurkeyindicatedtheirinteresttojoinPEFC Council.
• Theguide,Your Toolkit for Developing a National Certification System, was launched and representatives from 11 countries across three continents participated at PEFC’s System Development Workshop.
• AmongstthePEFCmembers,SustainableForestryInitiative was recognized for the greatest expansion in certified forest area in 2013 and PEFC France was recognized for the greatest growth in Chain of Custody certification.
• SideeventswerehostedbyBrazilianPulpandPaper Association, Bureau Veritas, Certification Singapore, European Forest Institute, International Family Forest Alliance, International Wood Products Association & APP Timber, PEFC Germany, PEFC UK, TRAFFIC, and PEFC International.
• AforestownerrepresentativewaselectedasVice Chair to the PEFC Board of Directors.
• Nationalmembersparticipatedinabrandingworkshop to begin the development of a common conceptual identity for PEFC.
We held our annual event, the “PEFC Forest Certification Week 2013”, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with our member, the Malaysia Timber Certification Council (MTCC), bringing together over 300 stakeholders to discuss advancing sustainable forest management and global trade.
PEFC’s Forest Certification Week – sustainability declared the new normal
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Certification supplement 2013
To mark our PEFC Forest Certification Week in Malaysia, we published a special “Certification Supplement 2013”, in collaboration with the Asian Timber magazine and co-authored with our member, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council.
ABOUT MTCC
MTCC was established in October 1998 as an independent organisation to develop and operate the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS).
As a voluntary national scheme, the MTCS provides for independent assessment of forest management practices, to ensure the sustainable management of Malaysia’s natural forest and forest plantations, as well as to meet the demand for certified timber products. The MTCS has been endorsed by PEFC, the largest forest certification programme, representing more than 200 million ha of certified forests worldwide. The MTCS is also the first tropical timber certification scheme in the Asia Pacific region to be endorsed by PEFC.www.mtcc.com.my
PEFC is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent third-party certification.
It works throughout the entire forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure that timber and non-timber forest products are produced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. Thanks to its eco-label, customers and consumers are able to identify products from sustainably managed forests. PEFC is an umbrella organization which works by endorsing national forest certification systems developed through multi-stakeholder processes and tailored to local priorities and conditions.
www.pefc.org
ABOUT PEFC
PEFC/01-00-01
Cover photos: MTCC (front), Urciser/Dreamstime/PEFC (back)
Advancing Sustainable Trade in AsiaCERTIFIED
2013 PEFC Forest
Certification Week PEFC/01-00-01
2013 - SPECIAL FOCUS ON ASIA/PEFC’s Forest Certification Week
the first book published on PEFC-certified paper in asia
Ken Hickson presented his book, Race for Sustainability, the first book ever printed on PEFC-certified paper in Asia, at the PEFC Forest Certification Week.
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The event highlighted some of the key issues that need to be addressed within the Asian context to mainstream forest certification.
PEFC’s Forest Certification week – key issues
Need more awareness in Asian markets
Demand for certified forest products has traditionally been strongest in European and north American markets. however, businesses in the forestry sector rely more and more on the markets in Asia and the Middle East. We need to stimulate demand for certified products and awareness about sustainability issues within these key markets.
To make the business case for certification in the Asian region, companies need to feel this demand from their Asia-based customers, and yet it is fair to say that businesses operating in the area also have a role to play in demonstrating leadership on sustainability.
Forest certification for small landholders and agroforestry resources
Especially in Asia, substantial volumes of fiber are produced by small landholders and/or from trees grown outside of forests. These trees and sources of fiber contribute substantially to rural household livelihoods. Furthermore, such agroforestry practices encourage integrated landscape approaches, which often reduce pressure on dwindling natural forest resources. Forest certification systems will need to develop approaches to further recognize and embrace these resources so that they are not inadvertently excluded from accessing international markets.
What will be the ultimate lever to make businesses act?
While mainstreaming sustainable forestry and trade still has a long way to go in the Asian region, there is a sense of shared optimism amongst the private sector that certification is possible. Even those companies not yet certified admit that becoming certified is not the hurdle they previously considered it to be. We know the answer lies somewhere between showing business leadership, following the emerging mega-trend, responding to procurement policies, and meeting changing societal preferences.
I feel that legality is a disruption in our business as it is a step
back from sustainability”
Mr. Ng Kay Yip, Maran Road Sawmill
Never give up on sustainable forest management and independent
third-party certification”
Sheam Satkuru-Granzella, Malaysian Timber Council, discussing the perceived competition between market
requirements for legality or sustainability.
We are ready, if you are ready”
Mr. Richard Lee, Regent Furniture, describing the industry’s readiness to become certified,
once more certified wood is available “upstream”.
If SFM can’t pay its way as a viable land use, then we ultimately face the
biggest challenge to SFM: conversion of forest land to other uses”
Emmanuel Ze Meka, Executive Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization
The best way to promote certification is to put the logo
on the product”
William Street, Chairman of the PEFC Council emphasizing that certified companies
have enormous potential to mainstream certification.
Legality versus sustainability
While there is broad recognition that legality can only be a very first step towards sustainability in the forest sector, the current attention from important consumer markets in the EU, United States and Australia focuses solely on ensuring that legal requirements have been met in producer countries. Going forward, the markets must not lose sight of the more ambitious requirements related to sustainable forest management, as this needs to remain the shared, long-term aspiration.
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We conducted regular capacity building and outreach activities in several countries with our regional partners. In Myanmar, for example, we partnered with two like-minded organizations: Building and Wood Worker’s International (BWI), which promotes forestry worker’s rights and the promotion of sustainable practices; and the Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK), which works to strengthen trade unions globally. These organizations reinforce our work towards respecting the fundamental rights of workers in companies along the forest products supply chain. We were the first forest certification system globally to include social, health and safety requirements in our PEFC Chain of Custody standard based on the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
Together, we conducted a series of meetings with Myanmar’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry; the Myanmar Timber Merchants Association; and our existing contacts at the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee. This laid the way for finding common ground and achieving commitment to sustainable forest management and PEFC certification.
Towards securing workers’ rights within Myanmar’s forest industry – a case study
PEFC’s sustainable forest management standard requirements • Recognitionoffree,priorandinformedconsent
• Provisionsforconsultationwithlocalpeopleandstakeholders
• Respectforpropertyandlandtenurerightsaswellascustomaryandtraditionalrights
• Promotionofthehealthandwell-beingofforestcommunities
• Respectforthemultiplefunctionsofforeststosociety
• CompliancewithallfundamentalILOconventionsandoccupationalhealthandsafetyrequirements
• Maintenance,conservationandenhancementofecosystembiodiversity
• Protectionofecologicallyimportantforestareas
• Prohibitionofforestconversions
• Prohibitionofgeneticallymodifiedtreesandmosthazardouschemicals
• Exclusionofcertificationofplantationsestablishedbyconversions
how it works
Following these successes earlier in the year, we were able to help to motivate the main market actors, including the Ministries, to participate in BWI’s two-day event, the “Global Wood and Forestry Conference”. Taking place in november 2013 in yangon, Myanmar, the event welcomed ministerial representatives, social partners, solidarity support organizations and selected BWI affiliates. In addition to providing financial support and guidance with shaping the event content, PEFC’s Chairman spoke to an audience of over 100 attendees highlighting the social aspect of sustainable forest management.
We are continuing our work with the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee regarding an eventual PEFC membership and PEFC endorsement for their national system.
2013 - SPECIAL FOCUS ON ASIA/Towards securing workers’ rights - Myanmar
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PEFC MEMBErshiP
Our members – the national organizations and stakeholders which together comprise PEFC – all continuously deliver improvements towards sustainable forest management, each in line with their national priorities. here are some highlights of the year.
Members’ achievements
The American Tree Farm System launched pilot projects to
restore rare oak-hickory and longleaf pine ecosystems in Wisconsin and
Mississippi, respectively.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) contributed to certifying over 20 million ha, representing a 25% growth
in a year, and launched its standard review process, reaching out to 10,000
stakeholders. The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program resulted in a variety of research projects
across north America including important wildlife studies such as conserving
caribou and grizzly bear habitat with the University of Saskatchewan; identifying
cultural heritage sites; ensuring the transfer of forest knowledge from elders
to youth and to the forest industry, with Tk’emlups First nation.
The Brazilian Forest Certification Programme, an endorsed member, was specified in the Sustainability Management
Plan of the Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games, which
states that all timber used in permanent or temporary
constructions must come from legal and responsible sources.
The Argentine Forest Certification System applied for PEFC endorsement.
PEFC Austria was proud to announce the opening of the highest wooden tower in the world, the Pyramidenkogel, in Carinthia. The main structure is made entirely of wood originating from PEFC-certified, local forests and promotes sustainable forest management to the timber construction sector.R
ubne
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PEFC Czech Republic raised public awareness of the importance of sustainable forest management in Prague by offering the public a cruise down the Vltava River on a traditionally built wooden raft made from PEFC-certified timber.
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PEFC Italy and the nordic World Ski Championships organizing committee joined forces to ensure that all the wood-based materials used at the games, including everything from construction timber to tissues, originated from local PEFC-certified forests.
Following this example, PEFC Italy and the Trentino Winter Universiade organizing committee helped to host a zero-impact, global 2013 Winter Universiade. The 900 cubic meters of wood used for the permanent and temporary sports facilities were sourced from local PEFC-certified forests.
The most prominent structures at both events successfully obtained PEFC Project Certification.
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FC It
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PEFC UK worked proactively on the Kingsgate house construction project in London, the first major construction project in the world to achieve PEFC Project Certification. Over 1,000 cubic meters of cross-laminated timber from PEFC-certified forests was used for the construction, making up over 96% of the total volume of wood in the building. This seven-story building is not only one of the most sustainable housing developments in the UK but will also serve as a blueprint for future green buildings globally.
PE
FC U
K
PEFC members with endorsed systems
PEFC members with systems not endorsed yet
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PEFC Belgium signed its first-ever sustainable procurement cooperation agreement with the Belgian Socialist Union.
PEFC Denmark achieved PEFC re-endorsement and reinforced its brand in preparation for forthcoming promotional activities.
More than 2.4 million ha of French Guianese forests became PEFC-certified following the certification by Bureau Veritas and the membership of the Office national des Forêts to PEFC France.
PEFC Germany awarded its annual PEFC Forest Capital prize to Freiberg based on the city’s contribution to promoting sustainable forest management, followed by awareness raising activities.
Forest owners in Ireland were able to start applying for PEFC forest certification when Ireland’s official standards body, The national Standards Authority of Ireland, approved the national forest management standard.
PEFC Spain reviewed its forest management system, making forest certification more efficient, with special focus on the needs of small forest owners.
The first forest in Slovenia became PEFC-certified when the Institute for forest certification in Slovenia awarded its first sustainable forest management certificate to a regional representative of forest owners, the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia.
PEFC Latvia Council increased efforts to attract new partners and ran projects to encourage private forest owners to apply for PEFC certification.
Metsä Group was awarded the Best Forest Lessee Award for promoting sustainable forest use, forest regeneration and conservation in the Leningrad Region by the Committee for natural Resources of the Leningrad Region, for its Metsa Forest Podporozhye.
PEFC Netherlands provided support for the implementation of the sustainable forestry procurement policy at De Alliantie, one of the largest Dutch housing cooperatives.
PEFC Poland achieved both a 45% increase in Chain of Custody certificates issued and a 50% increase in PEFC logo licenses issued since last year. All Regional Directorates of State Forests, amounting to some seven million ha, are now PEFC-certified.
The Indonesian Forestry Certification Co-operation applied for PEFC endorsement.
The Malaysian Timber Certification Council certified its tenth forest management unit, reaching a total certified area of 4.65 million ha. In addition, the Green Building Index Malaysia recognized the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme under its sustainable timber criteria.
The China Forest Certification Council applied for PEFC endorsement and made preparations to begin certification.
PAFC Gabon applied for PEFC re-endorsement.
The Australian Forestry Standard published its revised and improved
standard for sustainable forest management.
PEFC MEMBERSHIP/Members’ achievements
Sm
ileus
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Financial information
BudGEt suMMary:
In 2012, PEFC operated on a total income of about ChF 3.1 million.
SELL ITMarketing andcommunications33%
GROW ITDevelopment22%
Adminoperating costs
24%
RUN ITStandards
development15%
Financial items1%
Governance5%
Expenditures (2012)
Membershipfees91%
Notification andlogo usage fees
5%
Income Sources (2012)
Project-specificfunding3% Other income
1%
Income sources (2012) Expenditures (2012)
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PEFC Collaboration Fund The PEFC Collaboration Fund is a yearly competitive small grants program supporting efforts to advance sustainable forest management and forest certification around the world by our members and partner organizations. The 2013 Collaboration Fund competition invested ChF 105,000 across six projects, leveraging a further ChF 104,000 from co-funding.
2013 Collaboration Fund projects and recipients• Promotingsustainableforestmanagement
among Latvian forest owners (Forest Owners’ Cooperative “Mežsaimnieks” and PEFC Latvia)
• GoingonlinetomodernizeandexpandGroupForest Management Certification in the British Isles (PEFC Ireland and PEFC UK)
• EnhancingruraldevelopmentinSpainthrough wild food production (PEFC Spain, Spanish Food and Drink Industry Federation, Union of Silviculturists of Southern Europe)
• ProtectingraretreespeciesinMalaysia:strengthening procedures for monitoring in Jerangau high conservation value forest area and beyond (Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, Kumpulan Pengurusan Kayu Kayan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Timber Certification Council, and Terengganu State Forest Department)
• Exploringcriteria,pathwaysandstakeholderexpectations to deliver sustainable woody biomass to international markets (Pinchot Institute for Conservation and the PEFC member Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
• Promotingforestcertificationtotheforestmanagers of the future (National Forest Centre and Association of owners of private and community forests in the Banska Bystrica region, and PEFC Slovakia)
PEFC Collaboration Fund aims to:• Promoteinnovation;
• Stimulatelocalprojects;
• Encouragepartnerships;
• Sharefinancialburdens.
Activities include:• Promotingcertificationorcertified
products;
• Capacitybuildingtoexpandforestcertification;
• ResearchingissuesrelatedtoPEFC Sustainability Benchmarks or national standards;
• Researchingnewproducts,
services and approaches.
Eligible applicantsOur members, other non-profit
organizations, and private and public
sector organizations may apply. If the
lead applicant is not our member, it
is desirable for one of our members
to be a project partner.
Grant amountsWe consider applications of up to
ChF 40,000 with a project time
frame of up to two years for new
activities rather than for ongoing
work. Proposed project budgets must
include at least 35% co-funding
from other sources.
How to applyPlease visit bit.ly/collab-fund
for more information.
Co-fund projectsTo invest in or to co-finance future
projects, please contact
how it works
PEFC MEMBErshiP/PEFC Collaboration Fund
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Statistics, facts & figures
PEFC-certified forest area (as of 31 December 2013)
Country hECtarEsAustralia 10,451,490
Austria 2,741,366
Belarus 4,172,200
Belgium 289,050
Brazil 1,742,152
Canada (CSA) 41,595,405
Chile 1,917,316
Czech Republic 1,845,321
Denmark 223,306
Estonia 897,688
Finland 20,930,633
France 6,871,741
Germany 7,199,115
Italy 780,192
Latvia 1,683,641
Country hECtarEsLuxembourg 30,541
Malaysia 4,649,912
norway 9,125,902
Poland 7,304,356
Portugal 235,501
Russia 582,479
Slovak Republic 1,242,760
Slovenia 10,209
Spain 1,606,572
Sweden 9,812,789
Switzerland 205,974
UK 1,318,190
USA (ATFS) 9,656,913
USA + Canada (SFI)
104,004,703
TOTAL 253,127,417
Country CErtiFiCatEsFrance 2,051
Germany 1,513
UK 1,155
...and more than
50 other countries
5,277
TOTAL 9,996
Chain of Custody certificates Top three countries with the most Chain of Custody certificates issued:
253 of forests globally are PEFC-certified
million hectares
750,000 forest owners globally are PEFC-certified
PEFC members with endorsed systems
PEFC members with systems not endorsed yet
Countries where Chain of Custody certificates have been issued
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15,804 companies in the world benefit from PEFC’s Chain of Custody certification
Latvia
Belarus
Singapore
Romania
Indonesia
Luxembourg
PeruLithuania
South Korea
Argentina
Israel
Vietnam
Bulgaria
Egypt
Lebanon
Mexico
Monaco
Philippines
Sri LankaTunisia
Colombia
Saudi Arabia
Sultanate of Oman
Ukraine
Uruguay
Morocco
Bahrain
New Zealand
Hungary
Russia
United Arab Emirates
Turkey Taiwan
Slovenia
Poland
Denmark
Portugal Switzerland
Brazil
Chile
Slovak Republic
Norway
Ireland
Estonia
FinlandCanada
Czech Republic
SwedenMalaysia
Belgium
Australia
China
Japan
Netherlands
Austria
USA (PEFC CoC)Italy
Spain
GermanyUnited Kingdom
FrancePEFC Chain of Custody certificates per country (as of 31 December 2013) Relative sizes of country names correspond to number of certificates
> 2,000
1-50
200-500
PEFC MEMBERSHIP/Statistics, facts & figures
32
Endorsed Members (as of 31 Dec. 2013)
Country naMEAustralia Australian Forestry Standard (AFS)
Austria PEFC Austria
Belarus Belarusian Association of Forest Certification
Belgium PEFC Belgium
Brazil Brazilian Forest Certification Programme (CERFLOR)
Canada PEFC Canada
Chile Chile Forest Certification Corporation (CERTFOR)
Czech Republic PEFC Czech Republic
Denmark PEFC Denmark
Estonia Estonian Forest Certification Council
Finland PEFC Finland
France PEFC France
Gabon PAFC Gabon
Germany PEFC Germany
Ireland PEFC Ireland
Italy PEFC Italy
Latvia PEFC Latvia
Luxembourg PEFC Luxembourg
Malaysia Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
netherlands PEFC netherlands
norway PEFC norway
Poland PEFC Poland
Portugal PEFC Portugal
Russia PEFC Russia
Slovak Republic Slovak Forest Certification Association
Slovenia Institute for Forest Certification
Spain PEFC Spain
Sweden PEFC Sweden
Switzerland PEFC Switzerland
United Kingdom PEFC UK
United States PEFC USA: American Tree Farm System (ATFS) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
Uruguay Sociedad de Productores Forestales del Uruguay
Non-endorsed Members (as of 31 Dec. 2013)
Country naMEArgentina Argentine Forest Certification
System (CERFOAR)
Cameroon Cameroonian Association of the Pan African Forestry Certification
China China Forest Certification Council (CFCC)
Indonesia Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC)
Lithuania PEFC Lithuania
Statistics, facts & figurescontinued
Countries developing a system or preparing to apply for endorsement: 16
Under assessment for endorsement:
• Argentina(ArgentineForestCertificationSystem - CERFOAR)
• The People’s Republic of China (China Forest Certification Council - CFCC)
• Indonesia (Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperative - IFCC)
Under assessment for re-endorsement:
• MalaysianTimberCertificationCouncil(MTCC)
• PAFCGabon
• PEFCLuxembourg
• InstituteforForestCertification(Slovenia)
• PEFCSpain
• PEFCSwitzerland
Received re-endorsement:
• AmericanTreeFarmSystem(ATFS)
• PEFCBelgium
• PEFCDenmark
• PEFCUK
System News 2013:
ruzanna
33
International Stakeholder Members:
• APPTimber
• AssociationTechniqueInternationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT)
• BuildingandWoodWorker’sInternational (BWI)
• ConfederationofEuropeanForestOwners (CEPF)
• ConfederationofEuropeanPaperIndustries (CEPI)
• EarthFocusFoundation
• EuropeanNetworkofForestEntrepreneurs (EnFE)
• EuropeanTimberTradeFederation(ETTF)
• EuropeanTissueSymposium(ETS)
• Fibria
• InternationalCouncilofForestandPaper Associations (ICFPA)
• InternationalFamilyForestryAlliance (IFFA)
• Meadwestvaco
• MetsäGroup
• SmurfitKappa
• StoraEnso
• UnionofSilviculturistsofSouthernEurope (USSE)
• WeyerhaeuserCompany
Extraordinary Members:
• EuropeanConfederationofWoodworking Industries (CEI-Bois)
• EuropeanLandowners’Organization (ELO)
• FédérationEuropéennedesCommunes Forestières (FECOF)
• ManufacturersofEducational&Commercial Stationery European Association (MECSEA)
• UnionofEuropeanForesters(UEF)
PEFC is a member and/or has consultative status with several organizations including:
• AssociationTechniqueInternationaldes Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT) (Member);
• CongoBasinForestPartnership(Member);
• Europeanco-operationforAccreditation – EA (Recognized Stakeholder Member);
• ForestEurope(Observer);
• ForestLegalityAlliance(Member);
• InternationalAccreditationForum–IAF (Association Body Member);
• InternationalFamilyForestryAlliance – IFFA (Member);
• InternationalUnionforConservation of nature – IUCn (Member);
• UnitedNationsEconomicandSocial Council – ECOSOC (Consultative Status);
• UnitedNationsFrameworkConvention on Climate Change – UnFCCC (Observer).
PEFC’s International Stakeholder Membership 2013
how it works
The benefits of joining include:
• ParticipatingatPEFC’sannualGeneralAssemblywithvoting rights;
• Joiningourworkinggroupsandcommitteesontopicssuchasstandards revision, market advising and regional promotions;
• StayinginformedaboutPEFCdevelopmentsthroughoutthe year;
• Collaboratingonprojectsofmutualinterest;
• NominatingrepresentativesforthePEFCBoardofDirectors.
We welcomed three new International Stakeholder members in 2013:
• EuropeanTimberTradeFederation;
• InternationalCouncilofForestand Paper Associations;
• WeyerhaeuserCompany.
PEFC MEMBERSHIP/Statistics, facts & figures
34
Board of directors
CHAIRMAN
William Street’s experience includes: Director of Research and Education
of the International Woodworkers of America, US, the largest US labor union
representing forest and mill workers; Director of the Global Wood and Forestry
Program for the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (now
Building and Wood Worker’s International), a global trade union federation;
and Director of the Woodworkers Department of the International Association
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, one of the largest industrial trade
unions in north America.
In addition to his work in industrialized countries, Mr. Street has directed
forestry projects in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Chile,
Indonesia, India, China, and Malaysia. he holds a Master of Science in Politics
& Government from the University of Oregon and has written on poverty
reduction and sustainable forestry.
Current Term of Office: 2012-2015
VICE-CHAIRMEN
Natalie Hufnagl-Jovy is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Consortium of the
German Forest Owner Associations (AGDW) and a Member of the Policy Task
Force of IFFA, the International Family Forest Alliance. She draws from eight
years of experience as Secretary General of the Confederation of European
Forest Owners (CEPF) and is a former Board member of IFFA.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
Sheam Satkuru-Granzella is Director of the Malaysian Timber Council
with responsibility for Europe. Sheam is a specialist in international trade with
strong experience in legal and policy analysis relating to the timber and forest
industries, communication and public relations.
Current Term of Office: 2011-2014
Pabl
o Sc
apin
achi
s
Hans Drielsma is a professional forester with 40 years’ forest management
experience, including senior executive roles with Forestry Tasmania, and State
Forests nSW. he is a Fellow of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, and a
Director of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd, the Australian Forest Products
Association and Forestry CRC, a cooperative research centre.
Current Term of Office: 2012-2015
Olivier Bertrand is the Vice-President of the national Federation of Forest
Owners Unions (CEPF - France). Since 1998, he has been a Member of
the “Regions Committee” of the European Union.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
Sébastien Genest is the Chairman of France nature Environnement (FnE),
the French national Federation of some 3,000 local and regional environmental
nGOs. Sébastien is also on the Board of the national Office of Forests (OnF)
and is a Director of PEFC France.
Current Term of Office: 2011-2014
Pedro Albizu developed his career in the Smurfit Kappa Group,
becoming a member of its executive committee and Director of Energy Sourcing.
Pedro served on the Board of ASPAPEL (Spanish Pulp and Paper Association)
and CEPI.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
BOARD MEMBERS
Genevieve Chua has been working in the paper industry for over 20 years.
An accountant by profession, she worked for KPMG before joining the industry
in 1990. She is currently Managing Director of Spicers Singapore and Deputy
Managing Director of Spicers Asia, part of the PaperlinX, group, listed in Australia.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
35
PEFC MEMBErshiP/Board of directors
36
Michael Proschek-Hauptmann is Managing Director of the
Umweltdachverband, the umbrella organization for environmental nGOs
in Austria. Previously, Mr. Proschek-hauptmann served as EU Policy
Coordinator in Brussels and Vienna. he also worked as Policy Officer
at WWF Austria.
Current Term of Office: 2012-2015
Juan Carlos Jintiach works with COICA, the Coordinator of
Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin. he also serves
as the elected official representing indigenous peoples of Latin America
in the CBD, as well as a focal point in the indigenous people’s caucus
within the UnFCCC and in the Forest Investment Program (FIP)
within the World Bank.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
Julian Walker-Palin is a retail specialist, and was head of
Sustainability for Asda, the UK arm of Walmart, for over six years.
In this role, he led the Corporate Sustainability Team, which advises
Asda on sustainability policy and strategy.
Current Term of Office: 2013-2016
Peter Latham, OBE, is Chairman of James Latham PLC, one of Britain’s
oldest timber companies. he is a former Chairman of the Forests Forever
Committee of the Timber Trade Federation, member of the Council of the
Commonwealth Forestry Association, and former Chairman of PEFC UK.
Current Term of Office: 2011-2014
Joseph Lawson has over 30 years’ experience in environmental
and natural resource management and was the Global Director of
Sustainable Forestry for MeadWestvaco Corporation. Joseph holds
degrees in Forest Resource Management and Landscape
Architecture/Regional Planning.
Current Term of Office: 2011-2014
BOARD MEMBERS
Ben Gunneberg Secretary General
Thorsten Arndt head of Communications
Hannah Price Communications Officer
COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
Rémi Sournia Projects & Development Officer
Sarah Price head of Projects & Development
PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENT
UNIT TECHNICAL
UNIT
Christian Kämmer Technical Officer
Michael Berger head of Technical Unit
Johan Vlieger Technical Officer
Gill Parker Finance Manager (part-time)
Natalie Faulkner Office Manager
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Simon Clark Finance Officer (part-time)
staff members
PEFC MEMBErshiP/staff members
nuE
ngin
e
PEFC/15-31-1139
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© P
EFC
Cover photos: ruzanna/PEFC, lkunl (forest waterfall)
Printed by Atar on PEFC-certified paper
PEFC Council World Trade Center
10, route de l’Aéroport
Ch-1215 Geneva
Switzerland
t +41 22 799 45 40
f +41 22 799 45 50
www.pefc.org
PEFC/01-00-01Cover photos: ruzanna/PEFC, lkunl (forest waterfall)